Rodney Harrison

FOXBORO, Mass. -- In their ongoing and seemingly endless clash of words, Patriots safety Rodney Harrison had an idea last week for Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael: "I think he just needs to basically shut up and play football." McMichael played, all right, but in what may be the last words between the players, the tight end looked reporters straight in their eyes after his team's 12-0 loss and said, "I probably cost my team the game today." McMichael was referring to the Dolphins' third-quarter drive that took them down to the Patriots' 10-yard line.

Rodney Harrison, apparently not a fan of Terrell Owens, said he's "pumped about T.O. opening up his big mouth about the Patriots." Harrison is an NBC analyst. Today's top tilt USC at Ohio State, 8 p.m. TV: ESPN Buzz: Gotta love an out-of-conference game like this. Say what? "It's not like anyone goes up to Michael Jordan asking, 'Hey, are you black?' " Figure skater Johnny Weir, on people asking about his sexual orientation

Marty Schottenheimer will return as coach of the San Diego Chargers next season, but he turned down a one-year extension for 2008 worth $4.5 million. Three days after the talented Chargers melted down in a 24-21 playoff loss to New England, team president Dean Spanos announced that the embattled coach will be back for the final year of his contact. Speculation grew following Sunday's loss that Schottenheimer might be fired due in part to the front office's expectations of a Super Bowl run, and to the coach's icy relationship with General Manager A.J. Smith.

Rodney Harrison, apparently not a fan of Terrell Owens, said he's "pumped about T.O. opening up his big mouth about the Patriots." Harrison is an NBC analyst. Today's top tilt USC at Ohio State, 8 p.m. TV: ESPN Buzz: Gotta love an out-of-conference game like this. Say what? "It's not like anyone goes up to Michael Jordan asking, 'Hey, are you black?' " Figure skater Johnny Weir, on people asking about his sexual orientation

Miami Dolphins TE Randy McMichael refused to speak Wednesday about New England Patriots S Rodney Harrison, but the silence wasn't mutual. Asked to assess McMichael during a conference call, Harrison added fuel to a feud that began when the teams played Oct. 19 in Miami. "He has all the potential in the world to be one of the best tight ends in the league," Harrison said. "I just think he's too good of a player to run his mouth and let that take away from his game. He just needs to basically shut up and play football."

TRIVIAL PURSUIT: Bill Belichick had NBA legend Bill Russell address his team before camp last season about the travails of trying to repeat. It didn't work, but Belichick deserves credit for easing his standoffish nature and becoming a more well-rounded coach. MYSTERY DATE: Sept. 14, at Philadelphia. The Patriots upgraded considerably on defense and Donovan McNabb gets to test them early. AGGRAVATION: New England won a Super Bowl with Antowain Smith at running back, but there's a reason QB Tom Brady threw a league-best 28 TDs last season.

JACKSONVILLE -- Eagles receiver Freddie Mitchell made a few pre-Super Bowl comments that bear repeating, now that the Patriots' secondary has emerged as one of the key contributors to New England's 24-21 victory Sunday night. He told ESPN in a much-talked-about interview last week that he couldn't name most of the Patriots' defensive backs. He only knew their numbers. And for the one guy he could name -- strong safety Rodney Harrison -- he offered these fighting words: "I got something for you."

Marty Schottenheimer will return as coach of the San Diego Chargers next season, but he turned down a one-year extension for 2008 worth $4.5 million. Three days after the talented Chargers melted down in a 24-21 playoff loss to New England, team president Dean Spanos announced that the embattled coach will be back for the final year of his contact. Speculation grew following Sunday's loss that Schottenheimer might be fired due in part to the front office's expectations of a Super Bowl run, and to the coach's icy relationship with General Manager A.J. Smith.

The revamping of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coaching staff continued Wednesday with the firing of defensive line coach Jethro Franklin, who lasted one year as the replacement for Rod Marinelli. Franklin, 41, joined secondary coach Greg Burns, who was fired over the weekend, as the scapegoats for a unit that fell from No. 1 in the NFL in 2005 to 17th. Both coaches came to Tampa Bay from USC before this season. The Bucs are searching for replacements for Franklin and linebackers coach Joe Barry, who left last week to join Marinelli, now coach in Detroit, as defensive coordinator of the Lions.

The revamping of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coaching staff continued Wednesday with the firing of defensive line coach Jethro Franklin, who lasted one year as the replacement for Rod Marinelli. Franklin, 41, joined secondary coach Greg Burns, who was fired over the weekend, as the scapegoats for a unit that fell from No. 1 in the NFL in 2005 to 17th. Both coaches came to Tampa Bay from USC before this season. The Bucs are searching for replacements for Franklin and linebackers coach Joe Barry, who left last week to join Marinelli, now coach in Detroit, as defensive coordinator of the Lions.

JACKSONVILLE -- He filled up the stat sheet with 357 yards, 30 completions, 51 passes and a touchdown with 1:48 remaining that brought everyone to the edge of their seats. But only one number really mattered when Donovan McNabb scanned the final numbers after Super Bowl XXXIX. "Three interceptions,'' he said, then repeated himself. "Three interceptions. I don't look at the touchdowns. As a quarterback, you want to make sure you take care of the ball. Turnovers. That's all I can see right now.'' McNabb was the toast of Philadelphia two weeks ago when he led the Eagles to their first NFC Championship in 24 years, but he struggled with the burden of bringing them a Super Bowl trophy.

JACKSONVILLE -- Eagles receiver Freddie Mitchell made a few pre-Super Bowl comments that bear repeating, now that the Patriots' secondary has emerged as one of the key contributors to New England's 24-21 victory Sunday night. He told ESPN in a much-talked-about interview last week that he couldn't name most of the Patriots' defensive backs. He only knew their numbers. And for the one guy he could name -- strong safety Rodney Harrison -- he offered these fighting words: "I got something for you."

FOXBORO, Mass. -- In their ongoing and seemingly endless clash of words, Patriots safety Rodney Harrison had an idea last week for Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael: "I think he just needs to basically shut up and play football." McMichael played, all right, but in what may be the last words between the players, the tight end looked reporters straight in their eyes after his team's 12-0 loss and said, "I probably cost my team the game today." McMichael was referring to the Dolphins' third-quarter drive that took them down to the Patriots' 10-yard line.

Miami Dolphins TE Randy McMichael refused to speak Wednesday about New England Patriots S Rodney Harrison, but the silence wasn't mutual. Asked to assess McMichael during a conference call, Harrison added fuel to a feud that began when the teams played Oct. 19 in Miami. "He has all the potential in the world to be one of the best tight ends in the league," Harrison said. "I just think he's too good of a player to run his mouth and let that take away from his game. He just needs to basically shut up and play football."

TRIVIAL PURSUIT: Bill Belichick had NBA legend Bill Russell address his team before camp last season about the travails of trying to repeat. It didn't work, but Belichick deserves credit for easing his standoffish nature and becoming a more well-rounded coach. MYSTERY DATE: Sept. 14, at Philadelphia. The Patriots upgraded considerably on defense and Donovan McNabb gets to test them early. AGGRAVATION: New England won a Super Bowl with Antowain Smith at running back, but there's a reason QB Tom Brady threw a league-best 28 TDs last season.

Talk to the New England Patriots brass -- from owner Bob Kraft to Coach Bill Belichick to personnel whiz Scott Pioli -- and they'll tell you their team won a Super Bowl before it should have. They have no problem admitting they didn't expect that first world-championship season in 2001. They'll also say they weren't ready to defend it in 2002. "When you win a Super Bowl, everybody wants a piece of you," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said. "There's no margin for error." The reigning champ this time last year, New England started strong but fell prey to pockets of inconsistency.

JACKSONVILLE -- He filled up the stat sheet with 357 yards, 30 completions, 51 passes and a touchdown with 1:48 remaining that brought everyone to the edge of their seats. But only one number really mattered when Donovan McNabb scanned the final numbers after Super Bowl XXXIX. "Three interceptions,'' he said, then repeated himself. "Three interceptions. I don't look at the touchdowns. As a quarterback, you want to make sure you take care of the ball. Turnovers. That's all I can see right now.'' McNabb was the toast of Philadelphia two weeks ago when he led the Eagles to their first NFC Championship in 24 years, but he struggled with the burden of bringing them a Super Bowl trophy.

Talk to the New England Patriots brass -- from owner Bob Kraft to Coach Bill Belichick to personnel whiz Scott Pioli -- and they'll tell you their team won a Super Bowl before it should have. They have no problem admitting they didn't expect that first world-championship season in 2001. They'll also say they weren't ready to defend it in 2002. "When you win a Super Bowl, everybody wants a piece of you," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said. "There's no margin for error." The reigning champ this time last year, New England started strong but fell prey to pockets of inconsistency.